Control mechanism for mining apparatus



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C. P. BALDWIN E' AL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MINING APPARATUS Filed Hay 21, 1941 septn 11,1945'.

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CONTROL MCHANISM FOR MINING -tPAlLTUS Filed May 21 1941 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mii@ Sept; 1l, 1945- c. P. BALDWIN ETAL 2,384,447

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MINING APPARATUS l Filed May 2l, l941 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Meyn/40225." Je PBedz//z z2 Sept. ll, 1945., C. P. B'ALDwlN Erm. 2,384,447

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c. P. BALDWIN 'ETAL CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MINING APPARATUS Filed `May 21, 1941 sept 11, 1945- c. BALDWIN ErAL 2,384,447

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MINING APPARATUS Patented Sept. l1, 1945 CONTROL MEOHANISM non MINING APPARATUS Clyde P. Baldwin and Harry H. Vnnderzee, Claremont, N. H., assignors to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 21, 1941, Serial No. 394,410

(c1. 18o-ss) 31 Claims.

l vide an improved coal mining apparatus of the rubber-tired type especially designed for use in trackless coal mines, which may be readily maneuvered and is capable of cutting plane kerfs at various locations in a coal seam, Another'object is to provide an improved coal mining apparatus mounted on and propelled and steered by rubber-tired wheels and having improved propelling and steering mechanism. A further object is to provide an improved rubber-tired coal mining apparatus which is of a relatively compact construction and having relatively great exibility permitting ready maneuverability of the apparatus in the'underground passages of a coal mine. Yet another object is tol provide an improved coal mining apparatus of the rubbertired type having an improved power-operated steering mechanism whereby the apparatus may be readily steered through the sharply curved and relatively restricted passages of a coal mine. A still further object is to provide an improved coal mining apparatus having an improved hydraulic system which embodiesimproved control valve means for controlling the ilow oi' liquid under pressure 'with respect to certain of the hyvdraulically operated devices. Still another object is to provide an improved coal mining apparatus having novel combinations and arrangements of parts. Further objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

with a portion of the top cover broken away vto illustrate structural details. n

Figs. 2 and 4, when taken together, constitute a side elevational view of the mining apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view illustrating a portion of the hydraulically operated steering mechanism. Y

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail cross sectional view taken substantially -on line 8-6 of Fig. 1.v

Fig. 7 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken on line 'l-l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail cross sectional view taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on line Illl0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line II-II oi Fig. 2.

Fig. 12 is an `enlarged detail cross sectional view taken substantially on line i2-I2 of Fig. 1.

Certain features originally claimed in this application and relating to the improved means thereof for rotating the cutter carrying headand for locking the cutter carrying head in its' diil'erentposltions of adjustment and` to the improved fluid supply connections associated with the rotatable cutter carrying head whereby iluid is conducted in an improved manner to the hydraulically operated devices mounted on` the cutter carrying head are being claimed in my copending divisional application Serial No. 432,150, iiled Feb. 24, 1942. v

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one i'orm which the invention may assume in practice.

I`n these drawings:

Figs. l and 3, when taken together, constitute a. plan view of the improved mining apparatus.

Fig. i3 is a detail vertical sectional view taken Fig. 16 ls a cross sectional view taken substantially on line iG--IB of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged cross sectional view take substantially on line I'l-H of Fig. 1.

Fig. 18 is a detail cross sectional view taken substantially on line I8-I8 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 19 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken on line l9-l9 of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a horizontal sectional View through the control valve mechanism.

Fig. 21 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 2|-2I of Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a vertical sectional view stantially on line 22-22 Oi Fig. 20.

Fig. 23 isa verticak sectional view taken substantially on line 23-23 of Fig. 20.

Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the hydraulic system embodying the control valve mechanism shown in Fig. 20. 1

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention. there is shown va coal mining apparatus of vthe rubber-tired type especially designed for rse in trackless coal mining. It will be evident, however, that various features of the invention may be embodied in mining apparatus of various lother taken sub- 1 types, and, if desired. the vapparatus may be mounted on track wheels to travel along a mine trackway or may be tractortread mounted.

'I'he mining apparatus as disclosed is mounted on relatively large pneumatic rubber-tired wheels adapted to run along the floor of a mine without the aid of a guiding trackway, and has kerf cutting mechanism capable of cutting plane kerfs in a coal seam at various locations with comparative ease and efficiency. Since the apparatus is mounted to run on rubber-tired wheels which directly engage the mine floor, the apparatus is not dependent on a guiding trackway, and, therefore, maybe maneuvered in any desired direction and located at any desired point with respect to the coal face and ribs; and by the provision of the improved propulsion means the apparatus may be propelled at any desired speed and the rubber-tired traction wheels may be employed to move the apparatus over the mine floor both during maneuvering and the kerf cutting operation.

The mining apparatus herein constitutes an improvement over that disclosed in our copending application Serial No. 378,728, filed February 13, 1941, and generally comprises a main frame' or body E mounted on front rubber-tired traction wheels 2 and rear rubber-tired steering wheels 3. The main frame cr body carries at its forward end adjustable kerf cutting mechanism, genertion coincident with the axis of rotation of the ally designated 4, including a kerf cutter 5. The j front traction wheels have driving means, generally designated 3, 3, while associated with the rear steering wheels is power-operated steering mechanism, generally designated 1. A motor 8 drives the kerf cutter, while a separate motor 9 drives the pumping means of the hydraulic system, and the latter embodies control valve mechanism, generally designated I0. y

'I'he kerf cutting mechanism 4 is generally disclosed in the copending application Serial No. 378,728 above referred to, and generally comprises a horizontal turntable |2 carried at the front end of the main frame or body l intermediate the iront traction wheels, in the manner shown in Fig. 1, and pivotally mounted on this turntable, to swing in a vertical direction relative thereto, is an elongated arm structure or boom I3. The arm structure or boom overlies the turntable and extends forwardly in advance of the forward end of the main frame or body, and the forward portion of the boom carries a rotatable cutter carrying head I4 which constitutes an outer extension of the boom. 'Ihe cutter carrying head is mounted to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the boom and has a rotatable front neck frame |5 journaled on bearings on the non-rotatable rear boom frame i6. Pivotally mounted at l1 on the forward portion of the rotatable neck frame I5 is a cutter support i8, the latter being swingable relative to the neck frame about an axis at right angles to the axis of head rotation. The cutter'support I8 of the rotatable cutter carrying head I4 has'pivotally mounted thereon to swing about the axis i3 'a cutter carrying hanger frame 20, the latter being swingable relative to the cutter support about an axis at right angles to the cutter support pivot axis. The kerf cutter 5 is carried by the hanger frame 23 and comprises an elongated plane cut-` ter bar 2| having guided for circulation about its margin an endless cutter chain 22. The motor 8 is arranged at the rear portion of the boom, and the casing 23 of this motor constitutes the rearward portion of the boom frame.A This motor is -tion Serial No. 378,728 mentioned above. so that the cutter chain may be driven irrespective of the position of the cutter carrying head about its.

axis, the tilted position of the cutter support, or the swivelled position of the bar hanger frame.

For swinging the boom in a vertical direction about its pivot relative to the turntable and for locking the boom in its adjusted position, there are provided, at the opposite sides of the boom, upright hydraulic cylinders 24, while mounted on the neck frame I 5 of the cutter head is a hydraulic cylinder 25 for tilting the cutter support about its pivot relative to the neck frame and for 1ock ing the cutter support in its adjusted position. Also mounted on the neck frame, at the opposite sides of the latter, are hydraulic cylinders 23, 23 for swinging the bar hanger frame 2l about its pivotal axis with respect to the cutter support and for holding the bar hanger frame in its ad- Justed position. These hydraulic cylinders and their operative connections with the devices swung thereby are likewise fully described in the copending application Serial No. 378,728 above referred to, and further mention thereof will be made later. Y

The means for rotating the cutter carrying head I4 about the longitudinal axis of the boom I3 may assume various forms, and, as herein shown, comprises a conventional hydraulic motor 2l' mounted on the motor casing 23 at the rear end of the boom. This motor 27 is-of the reversible type and has its power shaft keyed to a worm shaft 28 (Fig. 6), herein suitably journaled within a housing 29 secured to the rear end of the boom. The worm 30 of the worm shaft meshes with a worm Wheel 3| (see also Fig. 7) keyed to a longitudinal shaft 32 likewise suitably journaled within the gear housing 23. $ecured to and driven by the shaft 32 is a spur gear 33 meshing with a spur gear 34, the latter having its hub integral with a longitudinal shaft 35. The shaft 35 is suitably 'Iournaled in the housing 29 and is keyed at 36 to an alined shaft 33. The shaft 38 extends longitudinally over the top of the motor casing 23, as shown in Fig. 1, and is suitably journaled in bearings supported by the boom. Fixed to the forward end of the shaft 33, as shown most clearly in Fig. 8, is a chain sprocket 40 connected by an endless drive chain 4| to a large chain sprocket 42 (Fig. 15), the latter herein .keyed to the rearward portion of the rotatable neck frame i5 of the cutter carrying head and surrounding the axisl of head rotation. The upper portion of the drive chain 4| is guarded by a housing 43, and the forward end of the shaft 33 is Journaled in an outboard bearing 46 supported by this housing (Fig. 8). The teeth of the worm gears 30, 3| are self-locking and serve to lock automatically the cutter head in its different positions of adjustment. As shown in Fig. 17, rotation of the 'cutter carrying head with respect to the boom is limited by a stop lug 45 secured to the neck frame and engageable with a stop lug 43 formed on an end plate 41 secured to the nonrotatable rearward portion I3 of the boom. Mounted on the main frame or body at the opposite sides of the turntable l2 are hydraulic cylinders 48, 48 (Fig. 1) lcontaining reciprocable pistons having their piston rods 43 pivotally connected to lateral lugs integral with the turntable .for rotating the turntable, thereby to swing the boom structure' in a horizontal direction, in a manner likewise described in the copending application Ser. No. 378,728 above referred to. When the liquid is trapped within these hydraulic cylinders, the turntable may ybe locked in its different positions of adjustment.

` Now referring to the traction wheel driving means l, '0, it will be noted that in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, mounted on transverse axes at the opposite sides of the main frame or body I, just rearward of the front trace tion wheels, ,are hydraulic motors 50, 50. These motors are of the reversible type and each comprises intermeshing motorrotors 5|, 52 (Fig. 9)

Since these'motors and the transmission means between the rotors and the traction means are identical in design, a description of the drive for bearings supported within a gear housing 54 secured to the main frame or body l. Secured to .suitably journaled within the motor casing. y

the shaft 53 and driven thereby is a spur gear p 025 meshing with a spur gear 56 secured to ahorizontal shaft 5l. The shaft 51 is disposed in parallelism with the shaft 53 below the latter and is likewise suitably iournaled within the housing. y'

Secured to the shaft 5l are high and low speed gears 50, 59, the latter meshing with a large spur gear 60 journaled on a horizontal shaft 5|. The shaft is arranged in parallelism with the shaft l beneath the latter and is likewise journaled in the gear housing. Splined to the shaft 0| is a sliding clutch member 02 having an integral spur gear $3 adapted to mesh with the high speed gear 0b. The clutch member 62 has clutch teeth 64 adapted to interlock with integral clutch teeth 85 formed on the spur gear 80. When the clutch` teeth 60 are released from the gear`60 and the gear 53 is in meshing engagement with the high speed gear E50, the shaft 0| may be driven at a relatively high speed, and when the gear 03 is out of meshing engagement with the gear 58 and the clutch teeth te, 69 are in interlockingrelation, the shaft 0B may be driven through the low speed gear 59 and gear G0 at a relatively low speed. The operating means for the sliding clutch member 62 comprises, as shown in Figs. 18 and 19, a shifter yoke 60 engaged in an annular groove on the clutch member and secured at Bl to an op- .erating rod 68. This operating rod is slidably guided in bearings supported within the gear housing 5d, and a spring-pressed detent lock 69v is provided for holding the rod in its .diiferent v positions of adjustment. Mounted on the topo'f the main frame, rearwardly of the boom, is a transverse operating rod '10(Fig. 1) provided at its opposite ends with operating handles 1|- conveniently located at the opposite sides of the apparatus. As shown in Fig. 9, projecting from the hubs of the operating handles 1| are levers i2 connected through flexible operating cables i3Y to the clutchoperating rods 68. It will thus be seen that the speed controlling clutches for the plural'speed transmissions for the front traction wheels may be concurrently operated through the connections above described, from either side of the apparatus. Secured to and driven by the shafts Il are chain sprockets 14 connected by endless drive chains 15 to sprockets 16 secured to the hubs 11 of the front traction wheels. The front traction wheels are journaled in bearings sides of the main frame of the apparatus. From they foregoing it will be evident that the front traction wheels may be driven by the hydraulic motors 50 through the connections above described at either a relatively high maneuvering speed or a relatively low speed appropriate for cutting.

' Associated with each of the driving means for the front traction wheels is a brake (Figs. 9 and 10) each comprising a brake drum 8| clutched at 82 to one of the chain sprockets 14 and having a cooperating contractible brake band 83.' The' brake bands may be concurrently applied or released through operating means comprising an operating rod 84 (Fig. 1) extending across the top of the apparatus in parallelism with-the clutch operating rod 10 and having operating handles 85 arranged in adjacency to the clutch operating handles 1|. Secured to the operating rod 84are cranks 06 connected through links 81 to cam levers 88. These levers are provided with cam portions 89 engageable with ears 90 secured to one end of each brake band. Bolts 9| have heads 92 engaging the ears 93 secured to the other end of each brake band, and these bolts. are pivotally. connected at 94 -to the cam levers 88. Encircling the bolts 9| and arranged between the Iears 90, 93 are coil springs' 95 which urge the brake bands toward their released position. When the cam leve 88 are swung about their pivotal connections wi h the bolts, the brake i band ears are drawn together to eect application of the brakes. Itis accordingly evident that theA traction wheel brakes may be operated from either side of the apparatus and may be concurrently applied or released. y

The mounting for the rear steering wheels 3 is similar to that fully described in our copending application Ser. No. 378,728 above referred to and comprises a transverse rear axle |00 -pivotally connected at |04 to the bottom of the main frame I, and the axis of pivotal connection lies in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the apparatus. Swivelled axles |02 are pivotally mounted on vertical pivot pins |03 carried at the opposite ends of the transverse axle.. Various means may be employed for swinging the axles' |02 to eifect steering, but, as shown herein, comprises steering gear linkage, generally designated |04. For effecting movementrof the steering wheels through the linkage |04, a hydraulic cylini derv |05 (Fig, 5) is pivotally mounted at |08 on y the transverse axlev |00. This cylinder contains a reciprocable piston |01 having its piston rod |08 pivotally connected to an' actuatinglever |09 of the linkage |04. It is accordingly evident that when liquid under pressure is supplied to one end or the other of the cylinder |05 the steering wheels may be turned in one direction or the other about their pivotal mountings at the opposite ends of the transverse axle |00, through the linkage |04.

Liquid under pressure may be supplied to the cylinder v|05 in a manner to beA later explained. The angle of the axle |00 to the main frame .-of the machine may be controlled by a hydraulic cylinder device` |05' as more fully ex plained in our earlier iiled` application Ser. No. 378,728 above mentioned.

Now referring to the hydraulic system, it will be observed that-thefmotor 9 has its power shaft connected by a flexible coupling ||0 to the drive shaft of a pumping means The pumping means may comprise two' distinct pumping'units, but in this instance comprises a dual pumping supported by stub shafts 1s nxed to the opposite Y' mentioned above.

means having a pump section )I I2 of low capacity discharge and a pump section is of high capacity discharge. The control valve mechanism l is mounted in a horizontal position on the top of the main frame I, as shown in Fig. 3, and beneath the valve mechanism is a liquidi tank H4. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. '24, the pumps ||2, I3 have their intakes respectively connected by conduits ||5, ||6 to a liquid supply conduit H1 leading to the tank ||4, while the pump discharges are respectively connected tol conduits ||3 and H0. The discharge conduit IIB oi the large capacity pump ||3 leads to a conventional manually controllable four-wayvalve device |20 which has its valve-receiving bore connected by a conduit |2| to the tank H4. The discharge conduit ||3 has a relief valve |22 connected by a, conduit |23 leading to the tank, and this relief valve is set to open automatically in the event the pressure in the system reaches a predetermined maximum, thereby to prevent overload. Also leading from the valve-receiving bore of the four-way valve device areconduits |24 and |25, the latter being connected through branch conduits |25 and |21 to the traction wheel driving motors 50. 'I'he conduit |24 is likewise connected through branch conduits |28 and |29 to the traction wheel driving motors 60, the conduit |29 being connected to its motor through a by-p'ass valve, in the manner fully described in the copending application Ser. No. 378,728 above referred to.

The control valve mechanism |0 comprises a horizontal valve box assembly (Figs. 20, 21, 22

" and 23)A consisting of a number of valve box sections rigidly secured together by tie bolts, and this valve b ox structure is likewise i'ully described in the copending application Ser. No. 378,728 The Avalve box sections have valve-receiving bores |30 containing slide valves |3|, |32, |33, |34, |35, |36, |31, |38 and |33, and these valves control the ilow of liquid under pressure from the discharge oi' the small capacity pump ||2 to the various hydraulic motors. Secured to the end valve box sections are intake and discharge sections |40 and- |4|. The small capacity pump has its discharge conduit ||3 connected to a supply passage |42 in the intake section |40, and a discharge passage |43 in the discharge section |4| is connected by a return con-v duit- |44 back to the tank H4. Interposed between the valve box sections containing the valves |33 and |34 is a-member |45 having an annularly extending groove |46 communicating with a longitudinal groove |41. `Parallel longitudinal passages.l46 and |46 extend through the valve box sections containing the valves |3|, |32 and |33, and the inner ends of these passages are closed by the member |45, in the manner shown in Fig. 20. Similar parallel longitudinal passages |50 and |5| extend through the valve box sections containing the valves |34, |35, |36, |31, |33 and |33 and are blocked oi! from thedischarge passage |43 by the wall of the discharge section |4|. Also extending longitudinally through` the valve box sections containing the' valves |3I, |32 and |33 is a center by-pass passage |52 connected by the groove |46 in the member |45 to a centerbyl-pass passage |53 in the other valve-containing valve box sections. The longitudinal groove |41 in the member |45 connects the center by-pass passage |52 with the parallel passages |55 and Ill. Parallel discharge passages' |54 and |55 etend longitudinally through v the' valve box sections and communicate with the ends of the valve-receiving bores and with the discharge passage |44.

t the valve |33 is in the position shown in Fig. 20,

liquid under pressure may flow from the supply passage |42 through the center by-pass passage |52, grooves |46, |41 in the member |45 and supply passages |50 and |5I, so that any of the valves |34, |35, |36, |31, |38 and |39 may be operated to control the iiow of liquid under pressure with respect to the hydraulically operated devices controlled thereby. However, when the valve |33 is in a position to supply liquid -under pressure to one end or the other of the hydraulic cylinder |05, flow of liquid under pressure from the center by-pass passage |52 to the supply passages |50 and 5| is cut oil' by the valve |33. Conversely when lthe valve |33 is in a position to supply iluid to the propelling motors the fluid supply to the steering cylinder |05 is cut oil'. By the provision oi' this construction, the possibility of a loss of pressure in the steering cylinder |05 duringA propelling of .the apparatus about the mine is substantially eliminated. The valves |3| and |32 are placed on .the same side of the member |45 as the valve |33, but this is done merely for convenience, and, if desired, the valves |3|, |32 could be placed at the other side of the member |45. As above mentioned, the valve |33 controls the steering mechanism for the steering wheels, and the bore containing the valve |33 is connected by conduits |53, |56 to the opposite ends oi the steering cylinder |05. The bore containing the valve |35 is connected by conduits and |6| respectively connected to the opposite ends of the bar swinging cylinders 26. The bore containing the valve |36 is connectedby conduits |62 and |63.tofthe op-I posite ends of the cutter support tilt cylinder 25, and theconduits |60, |6|, |62, and |63 are arranged in a novel manner with respect to the rotatable neck frame l5 0f the cutter carrying head |4, as will later be described. The bore containing the valve |31 is connected by conduits |64 and |65 respectively connected to the opposite ends of the boom swing cylinders 48. The

bore containing the valve |38 is connected by conduits |66 and |61 to the opposite ends of the boom lift cylinders 24, while the bore containing the valve |39 is connected by conduits |63 and |69 .t0 the headrotating motor 21. The bore containing the valve |34 isconnecte'd by conduits |10 and |1| to the conduits |24 and |25,

' respectively. As4 shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 16,

the conduits |60, |6I, |62 and |63 are secured by a clamp plate |12 to the top of the boom, these conduits extending over the @top oi the boom and having their forward portions secured by a clamp plate |13 to the rotatableneck frame i5. Intermediate the vconduit portions on the top of the boom and the conduit portions on the rotatv able neck frame are flexible portions |14, |15,

The member |45 is an. nularly grooved at |56, and the passages |54 and |18 and |11, and these ilexible portions partially encircle the neck frame at the opposite sides of the latter, in the manner shown in Fig. 16. These exible conduit portions permit rotation of the cutter head with respect to the boom within the limits provided by the stop lugs 45, dd (see Fig. 17). A guide bracket |18, secured to the boom frame l5, serves as a guide for the central loop portions of the flexible conduit portions H4, |15, @l and ill. It is accordingly evident that by the provision of the particular arrangement of the supply connections with respect to the neck frame of the cutter carrying head, liquid under pressure may be supplied to the cutter support tilt cylinder 25 and the cutter bar swing cylinders 26, 26 irrespective of the position of the cutter carrying head about the longitudinal axis of the boom.

The valve device iti controls the stabilizer cylinder device it and the valve 32 the drive of an electric cable reel il@ by a hydraulic reel driving motor it@ by fluid from the pump lit.

The mode of operation of the improved mining apparatus is essentially the same as that iully described in our copending application Ser. No. 378,728 mentioned above. As in the above mentioned copending application', the apparatus may be propelled about the mine at a relatively high traveling speed by the motors E@ driving the front traction wheels f2, and, at that time, the discharge of liquid under pressure from both pumps iid, iid may be delivered to the motors. During the relatively slow movement of the apparatus about the mine, liquid under pressure is supplied from the low capacity pump to the propelling motors, and the discharge from the large capacity pump mayeither supplant or supplement the low capacity discharge to obtain the desired wheel driving speed. During the kerf cutting operation, that is, when it is desired to insert plane kerfs at various locations in a coal seam, liquid under pressure may be supplied to the hydraulic cylinders 2d, 25, 26 and d8 and the head rotating motor 2l under the control of the slide valves i3d, 936,135, E31 and |39, respectively, to eect adjustment of the kerf cutter into the desired cutting position and to eeot movecrient of the ker cutter during the kerf cutting operation. The turntable rotating cylinders i8 may be operated to swing the cutter supporting hoorn laterally, and the cutter swinging cylinders it may be operated to swing the cutter about its pivot relative to the boom. The cylinders 2d may be operated to swing the boom in a vertical direction relative to the turntable while the cylinder i5 may be operated to tilt the cutter support relative to the neck frame. motor 2l' may be operated to turn the cutter carrying head about the longitudinal axis of the boom to locate the keri' cutter in either vertical, horizontal or any desired intermediate cutting positions. When liquid is trapped in the various hydraulic cylinders, the parts adjusted thereby may be locked in their adjusted position. During propulsion of the apparatus about the mine, the front traction wheels are driven at a relatively high speed by the propelling motors 50 under the control of the four-way valve device i293, and the traction wheels may be driven at a reiativeiy low speed under the con-trol of the slide4 valve i3d. Steering is effected by the hydraulic cylinder |05 under the control of the slide valve |33, and during liquid ilow to the cylinder |95 the supply of liquid under pressure The head rotating to the valves |34, |35, |38, IJLISB and |38 may be cut off, so that full line pressure may be supplied to the steering cylinder. Propulsion under control of the four-way valve |20 by means of fluid from the pump ||3 will not, however, be affected. Evidently, the adjustment of the valve |331 may be such as wholly, or only partially, to cut oi fluid delivery through the -passa/ge |46.

The cutter carrying head may be rotated relative to the rearward portion of the boom by the motor ZI'undex the control of the slide valve |39, and head rotation is eected through the gearing 3d, 3|, 33, 3B, shaft 35 and the chain and sprockets 40, 4l, t2, and when the supply of liquid to the head rotating motor is cut off the self-locking teeth of the worm gears 30, 3| hold the cutter head in its position of adjustment. At times the discharges from both pumps may be conducted to the traction wheel driving motors and the trac= tion wheels may be driven at three diierent speeds by controlling the ow of liquid from. the pumps to the motors, and these speeds may be changed by the high and low speed transmissions. Thereby the apparatus may be propelled through a wide range of cutting speeds and through a wide range of maneuvering and traveling speeds. The brakes 80 for the front traction wheels mail be employed to brake the apparatus when the supply of liquid to the propelling motors is out oi?, andv these brakes may be utilized to hold the apparatus stationary during certain of i cutting operations. Since the general mode of operation of a mining apparatus of the character disclosed is fully described in our copending application Ser. No. 378,728 above mentioned, furi ther description of the mode of operation of the apparatus is unnecessary.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved rubber-tired coal mining apparatus is provided especially designed for use in trackless coal mines. It will further be evident that by mounting the mining apparatus on lpneumatic rubber-.tired wheels the apparatus may readily move over the mine oor without the aid of a guiding trackway. Also, it will be noted that an improved mining apparatus is provided capable of cutting plane kerfs in a coal seam at various locations with emciency and economy, it being possible to adjust the kerf cutter to cut horizontal kerfs at either the floor or roof levels or any desired intermediate level or to cut shearing kerfs perpendicular or inclined to the hori' zontal kerfs and also to cut horizontal and vertical kers in either rib. Further, by the provision of the improved hydraulic operating and controlling means for the hydraulically operated devices of the apparatus, extreme flexibility in operation is obtained. These, and other uses and advantages o the improved mining apparatus will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mining apparatus, the combination comprising iluid operated propelling means, iluid` operated steering means, a source of fluid under pressure, and mechanism for controlling the ilow of iluid under pressure from said source to both of said tluld operated means, said mechanism including valve means for controllingx the -ilow of lluid to said steering means, and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid to said propelling means, said mechanism being operative to interrupt fluid flow to said valve means which controls said propelling means when said other valve means is in a position to supply lluid to said steering means.

2. In a mining apparatus, the combination comprising fluid operated propelling means, iluid operated steering means, a source of uld under pressure. and mechanism for lcontrolling the flow of such iluid under pressure to both oi said iluid operated means, said mechanism including valves for respectively controlling the ow of tluid to said iluid operated means, fluid flow to said propelling means occurring past both valves, and said valve controlling said steering means being'positionable to cut off fluid ilow to said other valve.

3. In a mining apparatus, in combinatiomiluid operated propelling means, fluid operated steering means, a plurality oi sources of operating iluid, means for controlling the supply of operating lluid from one of said sources to said propelling means, and means for supplying and controlling the supply of operating iluid from another of said sources to said propelling means and to said steering means, said fluid supplying and controlling means including conduit means through which operating iluid from said second mentioned source must pass to reach said Dro-` pelling means and further including valve means so constructed and arranged that when said con duit means is in communication with said second mentioned source said steering means is cut oil from communication with said second mentioned source.

4. In a mining apparatus, in combination, fluid operated propelling means, 'fluid operated steering means, a plurality of sources of operating fluid, means for controlling the supply of operating iluid from one of said sources to said propelling means, and means for controlling the supply of operating iluid from another of said sources to said propelling means and to said steering means including means so operative that when ilow of iluid is established from said second source to said steering means the supply of any iluid from such source to said propelling means is interrupted. y 5.' In a mining apparatus, in combination, iluid operated propelling means, lluid operated steering means, a plurality of sources of operating' iluid, means for ,controlling the supply of operating fluid from one of said sources to saidpropelling means, and means for controlling the supply of operating iluid from another of said sources to said propelling means and to said steering means including separate valve devices for said steering and propelling means respectively, the valve device for said steering means movable on effecting iluld supply to the latter to cut off the fluid supply to the valve device for controlling said propelling means.

8. In anapparatus oi the characterdescribed, the combination comprising power operated propelling means for the apparatus, power operated means for steering the apparatus, a source of motive power, and means for controlling the supply ot motive power to said propelling means and cluding control devices `respectively controlling the supply of power to said propelling and steeringmeans, and means for interrupting the delivery of motive power to said control device for controlling said propelling means when said other control device is in a position to supply motive power to said steering means.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination comprising power operated propelling means for the apparatus, power operated steering means for the apparatus, a source of motive power, and means for controlling the supply of motive power to both said propelling means and said steering means, said controlling means including control devices for respectively controllinsr the supply of motive power to said propelling and steering means, motive4 power being supplied to said propelling means past both control devices, and said control device which controls the supply of power to said steering means being positionable to cut ofi the supply of power to said other control device.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, power operated propelling means, power operated steering means, a plurality oi' sources of motive power, means for controlling the supply of motive power from one of said sources to said propelling means, and means for controlling the supply of motive power from another of said sources to said propelling means and said vsteering means, said last mentioned controlling means including therein means so related thereto that when motive power is passing from said last mentioned power source to said propelling means to effect propulsion said steering means is cut oil' from said source.

9. In an apparatus of the' character described, in combination, power operated propelling means,

power-.operated steering means, a. plurality of sources of motive power, means for controlling the supply of motive power from one oi.' said sources to said'propelling means, and means for controlling the supply of motive power from another of said sources to said propelling means and to said 'steering means including means so constructed and arranged. that when .ilow of motive power is established from said second source to said steering means the supply of motive power from such source to said propelling means is interrupted.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, power operated propelling means, power operated steering means, a plurality of sources of motive power, means for controlling the supply of motive power from one of said sources v to said propelling means. and means for controlling the supply of motive power from another of said sources to said propelling means and said steering means including separate control devices for said steering and propelling means respectively, the` control device for said steering means movable on effecting motive power supply to the latter to cut oi! the motive power supply to the control device for controlling said propelling means.

11. InA a mining apparatus, in combination, iluid operated propelling means, iluid operated steering means, a plurality of sources of operatring fluid respectively of relatively large and relatively small capacity, means for controlling the supply of operating fluid from one ot said sources to said propelling means, and means iorcontrolling the supply oi operating lluid from the other of said sources to both said propelling means and said steering means, said controllin' means in- 7l said steering means, said last mentioned control.

ling means including as a part thereof valve means so related to the other parts thereof that when uid is passing from said last mentioned source to said propelling means' to eiect propulsion said steering means is cut oi from said source.

12. In a mining apparatus, in combination, iluid operated propelling means, uid operated steering means, a` plurality of sources-of operating fluid respectively of relatively large and relatively small capacity, means for controlling the supply of operating fluid from said source of 4large capacity to said propelling means, and means for controlling the supply of operating fluid from said source of small capacity to -both said propelling means and said steering means, said last mentioned controlling means including as a part thereof means so related to the other parts thereof that when uid is passing from said smallA capacity source to said propelling means to eiect propulsion said steering means is cut off from said source.`

13. In a mining apparatus, in combination, iluid operated propelling means, fluid operated steering means, a plurality of sources of operating uid respectively of relatively large and relatively small capacity, means for controlling the supply of operating fluid from one or said sources to said propelling means, and means for controlling the supply of operating fluid from the other of said sources to both said propelling means and said' steering means including means whereby when iiow of fluid is established from said last mentioned source to'said steering means the supply of uid from such' source to said propelling means is interrupted.

14. In a mining apparatus, in combination, fluid operated propelling means, iluid operated steering means, a plurality of sources of operating uid respectively of relatively large and relatively small capacity, means for controlling the supply of operating fluid from said source of large capacity to said propelling means, and means for controlling the supply of operating iluid from said source of small capacity to both said propelling means and said steering means including means whereby when the flow of fluid from said small capacity source to said steering means is established the supply of any iiuid from' such source to said propelling means is interrupted.

15. In a mining apparatus, in combination, fluid operated propelling means, fluid operated steering means, a plurality of sources of operating fluid respectively of relatively large and relatively small capacity, means for controlling the supply of operating fluid from one of said sources to said propelling means, and means for controlling the supply of operating iiuid from the other of said sources to both said propelling means and said steering means including separate valve devices ior said steering and propelling meansv respectively, the valve device for-said steering means movable ony effecting fluid supply to the latter to cut oi the uid supply to the valve device for controlling said propelling means. 16. In a mining apparatus, in combination, uid operated propelling means, fluid operated steering means, a plurality of sources of operating iiuid respectively oi relatively large and reiatively small capacity, means for controlling the supply of operating fluid from said source of large capacity to said propelling means, and means for controlling the supply of operating fluid from saidsource of small capacity to both said propelling means and said steeri including separate valve devices for said steerins and propelling means respectively, the valve device for said steering means movableon effecting iluid supply to the latter to cut oil the fluid supply to the valve device for controlling said propelling means.

17. In a mining apparatus, in combination, iiuid operated propelling means, fluid operated steering means, a plurality of sources of operating fluid respectively of relatively large and re1- ativelv small capacity, means for controlling the supply of operating iluld from said source of large capacity to said propelling means, and means for controlling the supply of operating iluid from said source of small capacity to both said propellingmeans and said steering means including means operative when ow of tfluid takes place from said small capacity source to said steering means to interrupt supply of fluid from said small capacity source to said propelling means, the ow of iluid from said large capacity source to said propelling means being uninterrupted by the precluding of the supply from said `small capacity source to said propelling means.

tions thereof that when motive power is passing o from said small capacity power source to said propelling means said steering means is cut oi from said source. f

' 19. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, power operated propelling means, power operated ,steering means, a plurality of sources of motive power respectively of relatively large and relatively small capacity, means for controlling the supply of motive power from said source of large capacity to said propelling means, and means for controlling the supply of motive power from said source of small capacity to both said propelling means and said steering means including means so constructed and arranged that when flow of motive power from said small capacity source to said steering means is established the supply of motive power from said small capacity source to said propelling means is interrupted.

20. In an apparatus oi the character described, in combination, power operated propelling means,

power operated steering means, a plurality of sources of motive power respectively of relatively large and relatively small capacity, means for controlling the supply. of motive power from said source of large capacity to said propelling means, and means for controlling the supply of motive power from said source of small capacity to both said propelling means and said steering means including means so constructed and arranged that when liow of motive power from said small capacity source to said steering means is established the supply of any motive power from said small capacity source to said propelling means is in.

terrupted, the supply of motive power from Said ng means large capacity source to said propelling means re- 8 a,ss4,447

maining uninterrupted, when the supply of motive power from said small capacity source thereto is precluded, by such precludlng.

21. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, power operated means having one function, power operated means having a diiIerent function, a plurality of sources oi' motive power, means for controlling the supply of motive power from one of said sources to said first-mentioned power operated means, and means for controlling the supply of motive power from another of said sources to both of said power operated means, said last mentioned controlling means including means so related to the remainder of said'last mentioned controlling means that when motive power is passing from said last mentioned power source to said first mentioned power operated means said second mentioned power operated means is cut oil' from said source.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, power operated means having one function, power operated means having a dilerent function, a plurality of sources of motive power respectively of relatively large and relatively small capacity, means for controlling thc supply of motive power from one of said sources to one of said power operated means, and means for conducting and controlling the supply of motive power from the other of said sources to both of said power operated means including conducting means via which motive power from said other of said sources must pass to reach said one of said power operated means and further including controlling means so constructed and arranged that when said conducting means is connected with said other source the other of said power operated means is cut off from connection E with said other source. 23. In an apparatus of the character described,

, in combination, power operated means having one function, power operated means having a different function, a plurality of sources of motive power, means for controlling the supply of motive power from one of said sources to said first mentioned power operated means, and means for controlling the supply of motive power from another of said sources to both 0f said power operated means including means so constructed and arranged that when flowof motive power isestablished from said second source to said second mentioned power operated means the supply of motive power from suchsource to said first mentioned power operated means is interrupted.

24. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, power operated means having one function, power operated means having a diil'erent function, a plurality of sources of motive power respectively of relatively large and relatively small capacity, means for controlling the supply of motive power from said source of large capacity to said rst mentioned power operated means, and means for controlling the supply of motive power from said source of small capacity to both of said power operated means including means operative in such manner that when flow of motive power is established from said small capacity source to-said second mentioned power opeated means the supply of motive power from said small capacity source to said first. mentioned power operated means is interrupted.

25. In a mining apparatus having a portable base adapted to travel over the floor of a mine, the provision of power operated propelling means,

.power-'operated steering means, and mechanism for controlling the supply of motive power from a source of motive power to both o! said power operated means, said mechanism including a control device for controlling the supply oi' power to said steering means, a control device for controlling the supply of power to said propelling means and meanswhereby the operation 'of said steering control device for supplying power to said steering means will interrupt the supply of motive power to said propelling means.

26. In a mining apparatus as specified in claim 25 the feature that the motive power is supplied to said propelling means past both of said'control devices.

. 27. In a mining apparatus as speciled in claim 25, the feature that said controlling mechanism comprises parts so related to each other and to said propelling and steering means that when said mechanism is operated to supply motive power from said source to said propelling means to effect propulsion, said steering means is cut oiI from said source.

28. In a mining apparatus having a portable base adapted to travel over the tloor of a mine, the provision of power operated propelling means. power operated steering means, and mechanism for. controlling the supply of motive power from a source of motive power to both of said power operated means, said mechanism includinga con'- trol device for controlling he supply oi' power to said steering means, a con rol device for controlling the supply of power to said propelling-means and means whereby operation of said steering control device for supplying power to said steering means will interrupt the supply of motive power to said propelling means, said power supplying means also including meansl for supplying power to said control device for said propelling means when said steering control device is operatedto interrupt the supply of power to said steering means.

29. In a mining apparatus, the combinati-oncomprising propelling means, steering means, a

said source to said propelling means and to said steering means.

.30. In a mining apparatus, in combination,

fluid operating propelling means, i'iuid operated steering means, a source of operating fluid, and means for controlling the supply of operating fluid from said source selectively to said propelling means and to said steering means including means preventing -the simultaneous supplyxof operating fluid from said source to'said propelling means and to said steering means.

31. In a mining apparatus, in combination, fluid operated propelling means, iluid operated steering means, a. plurality of sources of operating fluid, means for controlling the supply of operating fluid from one of said sources to said propelling means, and means for distributing fluid from the other of said sources selectively to said iluid operated propelling means and to said iiuid operated steering means including means preventing the simultaneous supply of operating nuid from said second source to said fluid operated propelling lmeans and to said iluid operated 

